Department of Agronomy

College of Agriculture and Food Science

Visayas State University
Visca, Baybay City, Leyte

Joannah Ocba Quilario BSA-4 Date Conducted: January 23, 2019

Lab. Schedule 07:00-10:00 am W Date Submitted: February 6, 2019

Agronomy 132
Sugarcane and Grain Legumes Production
Exercise No. 2
Morphological Characterization of Selected Sugarcane
Varieties in the Philippines

INTRODUCTION
Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) a perennial grass of the family Poaceae is

cultivated for its juice from which sugar is processed. Sugarcane is mostly grown in

subtropical and tropical areas. Sugarcane has three major products in our country namely;

sugar, Bio-ethanol and power. Because of its important uses it is significant to properly

characterize the morphology to be able to understand the different types of sugarcane

variety as it affects its productivity.

Knowing the morphological characteristic of a certain variety of sugarcane is very

necessary for us to be able to understand on how that variety grows, to understand the

appropriate climatic condition that it can thrive well and especially to know if that variety

is of high yield potential. Characterization of the morphology of the different sugarcane

varieties is important to be able to differentiate the differences between diverse varieties of

sugarcane available in our country and to apply the proper cultural management for the

said varieties.

OBJECTIVE

 To identify the parts and describe the morphological characteristics of some

sugarcane varieties planted in the Philippines.

METHODOLOGY
A discussion was conducted and it is about on the description of the morphological

characteristics of some sugarcane varieties that were planted in the experimental area of

Agronomy. After that, the students visited the area and recorded data.

RESULTS

Parts Yellow Variety Red Variety

Leaf blade Dark Green, parallel Green, parallel

Leaf Sheath White Dark yellow, presence of

hair

Auricle Present Present

Dewlap Present, Light brown Present, dark brown

Ligule Present Present

 Internode thick, dark yellow More thick, reddish to red

average length of 10 violet

samples - 9.94 cm average length of 10

samples – 13.29 cm

Node Thin, not protruding Thin, not protruding

Bud type Visible, protruding Visible, protruding

Inflorescence absent absent

Tillering medium high

Actual Pictures

A. Yellow Variety B. Red Variety

A. Yellow Variety B. Red Variety

A. Yellow Variety B. Red Variety

A. Yellow Variety B. Red Variety

A. Yellow Variety B. Red Variety

DISCUSSION

The table and pictures shows the differences between the yellow and red variety of

sugarcane planted in the area of Agronomy. The red variety has a dark green color and

wider leaf blade compared with the yellow variety which has only a green color and slender

leaf blade. For the leaf sheath, the yellow variety has a white color while the red variety

has a dark yellow and there are presence of hair. Both the yellow and red variety has the

presence of auricle, ligule and dewlap, but the color of the dewlap for the yellow variety is

light brown and for the red variety is dark brown. The red variety has thicker internode and

it has a reddish to red violet in color, it has also longer length of internode while the yellow

variety has a dark yellow color and the length of the internode is shorter. For the node, both

varieties has a visible node but it is not protruding. The red and yellow varieties has a

visible and protruding bud but there is no presence of inflorescence for the two. The red

variety has more tillers compared with the yellow variety which has lesser.

CONCLUSION

The students are now knowledgeable on the essential morphological characteristics

of some sugarcane varieties planted in the Philippines. The students learned on how certain

variety can be distinguished from one another and on how to properly identify a variety of

sugarcane based on its morphological characteristic.

Questions:

1. Why is it necessary to describe or characterize each variety of sugarcane?

To know the exact morphology of a certain sugarcane variety and to know its ability,

growth habit, its defense mechanism to pest and diseases and also to know if that certain

variety is high yielding.

2. Is it important to consider the thickness of the node in selecting a variety to be

planted for commercial purposes? Why?

Yes, because the thickness of the node will affect in producing the buds, in which the

buds produce the primary shoot and from this shoot, tillers may form from the underground

buds on the primary shoot and so the buds is where tillers were produced. And tillers are

very important because it is where cane is produced in which the juice can be extracted, so

it is necessary to consider the thickness of the node.

3. What are the criteria in selecting sugarcane varieties for commercial planting?

 High yield potential

 High sucrose content

 Good field appearance

 Higher tillering capacity

 Suitability of sugarcane variety to growing conditions such as soil type,

climatic condition and irrigation regime, ratooning potential, resistance to

pest and diseases and adverse growing conditions.

 Cane yield

 Juice quality
 4. Describe the overall morphological structures.

Sugarcane is a tall perennial plant growing erect even up to 5 or 6 meters. It is composed

of four principal parts, the root system, the stalk, the leaves and inflorescence. The root

system is fibrous and consists of two types of roots, namely ‘sett roots’ and ‘shoot roots’.

Stalk is also known as “millable cane” as it develops from the bud of another stem piece

planted for vegetative propagation. The leaves of sugarcane grow alternately on opposite

sides of the cane stalk from the nodes. It consists of a sheath and the blade with the ligule

within. The sheath is attached to the stalk by a basal ring and completely clasps the stalk.

REFERENCES

LENTIN, R. S. and MILLER, J. D. 2006. Sugarcane Handbook. Agronomy Department,

Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. 78 pp.

Morphology Sugarcane. Ikisan Agroinformatics and Services.

https://www. Ikisan .com (Date accessed: Feb. 4, 2019)

Sugarcane. https://www.britannica.com (Date accessed: Feb. 4, 2019)